Cradle or crib.



Patented Oct. 9, 1900.

P. McMUBDY. CRADLE 0R CRIB. (Applicatiop. med May 7, 1900.

(No Model.)

was w., Pumaumq. wAsnmcmm u c Nrrnn STATES ATENT OFFICE.

PERRY MOMURDY, OF OSGOOD, OHIO.

CRADLE OR CRIB- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 659,487, dated October 9, 1900.

Application filed May 7, 1900. Serial No. 15,775. iNo model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PERRY MCMURDY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Osgood, in the county of Darke and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Cradles or Cribs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in cradles or cribs, and is especially intended for infants and young children from two to six years, all of which will be fully described hereinafter and particularly pointed out in the claim.

The object of my invention is to provide a crib or cradle which is substantial in its construction and in which the parts are so arranged that there is nothing tointerfere with either the head or the feet of the parentin the placing of the infant within the crib or the removing of it therefrom; and the object of my invention is also to construct the crib with long vertically-arranged springs whereby the springing capacity thereof is sufficient that when the crib is once given a vertical movement it will continue for some time to vertically vibrate on account of the great yielding of the long vertical springs, and to provide means in the way of vertically-arranged rigid guides to prevent the crib from being tilted or knocked against any part of the supporting-frame and to cause the crib to have only a vertical movement; and a further.

object of my invention is to so construct the framework of the crib and the attachment of the crib thereto that the crib may be detached and the framework used as a swing for children.

The accompanying drawing is a perspective view of a crib embodying my invention.

Referring now to the drawing, A indicates two vertically-arranged end frames, which are provided with the upper and lower transverse braces or bars B, the lower one being preferably curved, as shown. These end frames are preferably composed partly of Wood and partly of metal rods, the largest portion of the frames being composed of wood and the other portions of metal rods. The upper ends of these end frames B are connected by an arch connecting-piece O, which is arched and extended upward to a distance of six feet, Whereby it serves not only as a means for supporting and bracing the upper ends of the end frames B, but also prevents the head of the person handling the infant from coming in contact with any part of the framework of the crib and enables them to handle the infant in any desired manner without any interference from the upper portion of the framework.

The sides D of the end pieces B consist, preferably, of iron rods and extend downward and have suitable casters or rollers E, and thus constitute supporting-legs for the crib. These legs are connected by the transversely-arranged bars or braces F, and these braces F are connected at their center by a longitudinally-extending brace G, (preferably of wood,) and the lower ends of the legs G have connected directly therewith the inwardly-bent bars or rods H, the said bars extending inward and bolted by asingle bolt at, extending through the wooden brace or bar G and the inwardly-bent bars H. The object of having the central bar G and the inwardly-bent bracing-bars H is to so construct the base of the supporting-frame and its connections that there is nothing to interfere with the feet of the parents in the handling of the infant, and this, together with the arch in the upper end, makes a construction which is rigid and strong, and yet will not in any manner interfere with the handling of the infant by the parent or nurse.

The. connecting-arch O is preferably composed of a tough wood and extends downward and has its lower end attached through the cross-bar B and to the upper ends of the end frames, as clear-1y illustrated.

The body portion I of the crib may be composed of any desired material and the crib and'also the end frames ornamented in any desired manner for the purpose of making them attractive. The end pieces J of the body I of the crib are provided with hooks K, which receive the lower ends of the long vertically-arranged springs L, the upper ends of these springs being connected to the ver tically-elongated end frames B through the medium of inwardly-projecting metal brackets M. For the purpose of preventing the long springs L from becoming; strained by forcing the body down too far in the movements of the crib with the infant therein or when an older child climbs therein (which often occurs) I connect a strong rope N at its upper and lower ends, respectively, with the brackets M and the hooks K of the end 5 pieces J of the crib-body. These ropes N pass through the vertically-arranged spiral springs L and are of such a length as to permit the extreme downward movement of the crib without in any manner straining or [o damaging the springs L. Were it not for this construction, the springs, owing to their great length, would become strained by extending them too far, as before explained, and this straining of the springs by means of the ropes N is absolutely prevented.

For the purpose of preventing the cribbod y or any portion thereof striking any part of the frames or being upset, and also insuring its being guided vertically in its movements, I provide the four vertically-arranged polished steel rods P, which have their lower ends connected to inwardly-extendin g brackets Q, which are detachably secured to the end of the frame B, so that they can be taken 0E and allow the crib to be removed from "36 (and preferably at or adjacent the corners thereof) are the arms R, which carry hardrubber rings S, which embrace the vertical rods P. These rods and hard-rubber rings S serve, as it will be readily understood, to

hold the crib-body I from being upset and also prevent its being knocked against any portion of the supportingframe or any other objects in its movements.

Owing to the elongated vertically-arranged 4o spiral springs L the crib can be vibrated vertically, and when once started to vibrate will continue to do so for some time, and are so yielding in their action owing to their great length that the kicking or movements of the child in'the crib will also cause the crib to move, and when the child has learned this fact it will beable to amuse itself by causing the vibration of the crib itself, as will be readily understood.

Depending from the center of the arch C is a hook b, to which can be attached a cord or rubber c, carrying any desired object (Z to amuse the child or infant within the crib.

For the purpose of adapting the crib to be converted into a swing I provide the archway at opposite sides of its center with the depending hooks e, to which may be attached the ropes of a swing, and in which event the lower ends of the springs L and the ropes N are disconnected from the hooks K of the crib-body and the crib-body removed. In this way the crib-supporting frame can be readily converted into a swing for the use of children.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A crib comprising two vertically-arranged supporting-frames, a crib-body situated therebetween, vertically arranged supportingsprings having their upper ends connected to the frames and their lower ends connected to the crib-body, ropes of a length greater than that of the springs having the upper ends connected to frame and extending down through the springs and having their lower ends connected to the crib-body, guiding-rods carried by the frameand horizontal arms rigidly connected to the crib-body and adapted to receive the said rods, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PERRY MOMURDY.

Witnesses:

MARION MURPHY, Or'ro Hams. 

